White dolphin spotted off Belgian coast after Netherlands sightings: 'Could it be the same one from the 80s?'

Remember him? That brilliant white figure that was swimming along the Dutch coast a few weeks ago, throwing everyone into a tizzy? Well, you'd better grab your binoculars again, because the white dolphin has been spotted off the Belgian coast. Off Blankenberge, to be precise. And let me tell you: this fella has seen more miles than a backpacker with a Eurail pass.

It all started with whispers among Zeeland fishermen. Then he turned up at the mouth of the Western Scheldt, where dozens of day-trippers captured him on their phones. Now, is this the famous Chinese white dolphin swimming around? No, hold on, let's clear that confusion up straight away. This isn't a tropical species, but a genuine beluga, one that's normally meant to be hanging out in the freezing Arctic. Yet, he's clearly made himself at home in our waters. And if you ask me, that's the best news we've had all month.

An old friend?

What makes this story even better? I'd wager this isn't the first time this white giant has been seen around here. The old hands – and by that I mean the seasoned birdwatchers and marine biologists I sometimes share a pint with – are whispering that he might just be the same beluga that showed up back in the 80s. Word has it we might be looking at an exceptionally old fella, one that's been around for decades. That old boy would be well into his forties by now. For a beluga, that's getting on a bit, but it's not impossible. Just imagine: this old lad has been visiting our coasts for forty years, swimming past wind farms and container ships, thinking to himself: "Sure, it's no Greenland, but the herring is just as good."

Of course, we shouldn't get ahead of ourselves. But the fact that he's turned up again now, in the exact same spots he frequented back in the 80s, sets all my nostalgia bells ringing. I hear from those in the know that seeing a beluga like this here is exceptional, but not unthinkable. And as that old fisherman from Zeeland said recently: "I know every dorsal fin in these waters, and I know that white one." Who am I to argue with that?

From muse to wall hanging

His popularity, anyway, is unstoppable. Wherever he goes, people are setting their boats adrift for a glimpse. And the real fans are taking it a step further. I saw someone recently who'd got themselves a massive tapestry with a white dolphin illustration for the house. You know the kind, an XXL-sized print, 180x120 cm, with him swimming through blue water. Like they want to bring a piece of the sea indoors. And I get it. When you've seen such a majestic creature swimming for real, you want to hold onto that feeling every day. There are even canvas paintings of him now, a white dolphin in a blue circle. Art on the wall, inspired by nature. Now that's pure emotion.

Where might you spot him?

If you're planning to head out yourself, here are the hotspots where he's been seen in the last few days:

• Off the coast of Blankenberge: His most recent sighting, swimming northwest.
• Mouth of the Western Scheldt: A favourite spot, probably because of the nutrient-rich currents.
• Between Zeebrugge and Cadzand: In the border area where the Netherlands and Belgium meet at sea.

So, jump in the car, or better yet, hop on your bike, and keep an eye on the horizon. Who knows, that white dolphin might be swimming off your coast tomorrow. And if you see him, give him a wink. That old sea dog might just wink back.